924Board.org

[MikeJinCO]

What are the best tools for cutting the metal for installing rear fender flares?

I have air and electric cutoff wheels, regular snips and access to an air nibbler which only cuts in straight lines.
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Mike


'67 MG Midget Dp
'71 Ocelot Dsr Kawasaki 1000(under rebuild)

[924RACR]

Typically I use small cutoff wheels in the die grinder... plasma cutter kicks butt, but won't leave a very clean edge and usually wants cleanup. That said - if you hit it with a plasma cutter, then grind clean with the electric angle grinder, that might be the fastest/most efficient way...

I doubt you'd have much luck cutting the arches with tinsnips, material's too thick. Likewise, I think the air nibbler would have trouble making it through all the areas with ease...

So maybe if you can borrow a plasma cutter?
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[MikeJinCO]

Thanks, no plasma cutters available, I'll go find some of the smaller cutoff wheels for my die grinder. I have CCP Fabrication Dprod rear flares which appear to fit pretty well, some tinkering in the lower back edge will be required. Finish is excellent.
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Mike


'67 MG Midget Dp
'71 Ocelot Dsr Kawasaki 1000(under rebuild)

[MikeJinCO]

Have one flare temporarily screwed on and will be getting 3M Panel Bond for the adhesive and borrowing a gun applicator. I found that a mini grinder with a cutoff wheel works quite well, particularly for getting the welded seam off although the is some burning from the body sealants. I also used a small air die grinder, but my air compressor is not big enough to drive it well. A pair of high angle compound aviation(Weiss) snips also works quite well.

Since i am not worried about rust rather than welding all the metal back together and lots of rust preventative, I just folded together four tabs of the inner and outer panel and pop riveted them together. That made the structure stiff enough that the vibration shouldn't be much of a problem with the glue joint.

Basically I cut the seam off with the mini grinder, then used the snips to cut the outer tabs. Then between the all three tools cut the outer skin away. Then I cut the inner panel tabs , took the die grinder and sort of grooved the inner panel(remember it is badly under powered) and bent the metal back forth the break. Actually a quite clean method. Then bent and clamped the tabs with vise grips and riveted.
_________________
Mike


'67 MG Midget Dp
'71 Ocelot Dsr Kawasaki 1000(under rebuild)